NEW DELHI: Indian troops on Monday repulsed a Pakistani armed intrusion attempt across the line of actual control (LAC) in Keran sector in northern Kashmir Indian news agency PTI reports Pakistanis were supported by heavy artillery and mortar fire. “There was no damage or casualty on the Indian side” he added.
The spokesman said Indian troops forced the intruders back into Pakistan territory.
“There were some casualties on the Pakistani side” the spokesman said The Pakistani attack started at mid-day Monday and the exchange of fire continued when last reports came in
This is the second major attack by Pakistan in Keran sector of Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir. Last fall Pakistani had intruded some kilometers into the Indian Territory in Machil sector and set up temporary posts in the area. Indian had then repulsed the Pakistani attack and demolished all temporary defence positions setup after almost a 24 hours heavy exchange of fire.
It was immediately not known whether Pakistani artillery and mortar attack Monday was to give cover to intruding Pak-trained Kashmiri militants or an attempt at Pakistani intrusion itself.
With the coming of spring and melting of snow in high passes on the Pir Panjal range Indian authorities here expect Pakistan to attempt to push in more militants across the line of actual control. According to estimates over eight to 10 thousand Kashmiri militants are in staging camps across the line of control waiting to sneak into India.
The authorities here have taken adequate precautions and boosted up security deployment along major ingress routes into the Kashmir valley.
Article extracted from this publication >> March 29, 1991
